[Federal Register: March 31, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 61)]
[Notices]
[Page 16480-16481]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr05-33]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved
Information Collection: United States Warehouse Act
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request
an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an
information collection process currently in effect with respect to
regulations, licensing and electronic provider agreements issued under
the United States Warehouse Act (USWA).
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2005 to be
assured consideration. Comments may be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail
or Internet to the applicable address below.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Roger Hinkle, USWA Program
Manager, Warehouse and Inventory Division, Farm Service Agency (FSA),
United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0553, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0553, telephone (202) 720-7433, FAX
(202) 690-1323, e-mail address, Roger.Hinkle@usda.gov. Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of
regulatory information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Hinkle, (202) 720-8433 or e-mail
Roger.Hinkle@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: United States Warehouse Act.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0120.
Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2005.
Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information
Collection
Abstract: The USWA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to
license public warehouse operators that are in the business of storing
agricultural products; to examine such federally-licensed warehouses;
and to license qualified persons to sample, inspect, weigh, and grade
agricultural products. USDA is also authorized to issue regulations
which govern the establishment and maintenance of electronic systems
under which electronic documents including title documents related to
the shipment, payment and financing may be issued or transferred for
any agricultural product. The USWA licenses over 50 percent of all
commercial grain and cotton warehouse capacities in the United States.
The information collected under OMB Number 0560-0120, as identified
above, allows FSA to effectively administer the regulations, licensing
and electronic provider agreements and related reporting and
recordkeeping requirements under the USWA. USWA activities are
administered by the FSA and also encompass examination of warehouses
operated under the Standards for Approval of Warehouses Under the
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act. Although there are
several types of warehouses covered by USWA and CCC functions, the
reporting requirements for a particular type of warehouse are
essentially the same. With some exceptions, the same forms are used for
both USWA licensing and CCC purposes. These forms are furnished to
interested warehouse operators or used by warehouse examiners employed
by FSA to secure and record information about the warehouse operator
and the warehouse. The general purpose of the forms are identical,
i.e., to provide those charged with issuing licenses under the USWA or
executing contracts for CCC with a basis to determine whether the
warehouse and the warehouse operator meet application standards to
receive a license or contract, and to determine compliance once the
license is issued or the contract approved.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information
collection is estimated to average 0.41 hours per response.
Respondents: Warehouse operators and electronic providers.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1 or on occasion.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 25,613.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,516 Hours.
Comments are invited on these requirements including: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information will have
[[Page 16481]]
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the collection of information including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information technology; or (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the information collection on those who are to
respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques) or other
forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission
response. The information collection package may be obtained from Roger
Hinkle, at the address listed below. Comments should be sent to the
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, OMB, Washington, DC 20503, and to Roger Hinkle, USWA Program
Manager, Warehouse and Inventory Division, FSA, USDA, STOP 0553, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0553.
Comments received in response to this notice will be made a matter
of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the
submission for approval by OMB.
Signed in Washington, DC on March 25, 2005.
Thomas B. Hofeller,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-6361 Filed 3-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P